NBA Mock Draft: Can Baylor Forward Kendall Brown Rise Into Top 10?

Brown's NBA hype continued to build throughout an impressive freshman season with the Bears

Author:
Zach Dimmitt
Publish date:
May 13, 2022 1:00 PM EDT

For the second-consecutive year, the Baylor Bears are set to be well represented with talent selected across two rounds during the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 23.

Baylor coach Scott Drew's team was led by talented guards James Akinjo and Adam Flagler, but it is the two freshmen forwards who are projected to crack into the draft lottery. Along with Jeremy Sochan, who is projected to be a lottery selection, Kendall Brown has continued to creep up draft boards.

Kendall Brown

CBS Sports' released an updated pre-lottery mock draft Monday and has the 6-8, 205-pound Cottage Grove, Minnesota native slated to be picked right outside the top 10 at No. 14 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Here's what CBS had to say about the selection:

Brown was an elite role player in his lone season at Baylor as he showed excellent offensive efficiency as a secondary option. His athleticism and defensive versatility should help him carve out a long — though perhaps not All-Star caliber — NBA career.

The Cavaliers have a young, budding roster that was on the verge of playoff contention this past season. Adding an athletic, up-size guard like Brown could make for a nice fit alongside All-Star guard Darius Garland and rising young forward Evan Mobley.

Kendall Brown

Kendall Brown (left) and James Akinjo

In his only season in Waco, Brown was one of the most important players for Drew's starting five. He started all 34 games for the Bears, posting averages of 9.7 points, 4.9 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals on an impressive 58.4 shooting percentage in 27.0 minutes per game.

Brown's strength is in his ability to be an athletic guard/forward combo that thrives in transition and on cuts to the hoop. An effortless jumper, Brown soars to the rim with ease and has highlight-reel finishing potential every time he gets a head start in transition.

This athleticism translates well to the defensive end, as Brown used his long reach to get breakaway steals that led to high-flying dunks on multiple occasions last season.

His productive shooting percentage came as a result of getting most of his looks at the rim, as Brown attempted only 41 3-pointers on the season.

Still, he's more than capable of developing into a decent 3-point shooter, which is something he'll need to happen in order to maximize his offensive potential. Brown's release is high and solid, something that will only become more refined once he gets working with an NBA shooting coach.

His true draft projection is currently a question mark in a draft class loaded with impressive talent.

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